Dana White, UFC president and CEO at the White House
White, 56, has headed the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for more than two decades and is a longtime ally of Trump. He played a prominent role in mobilising support for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and has frequently appeared alongside the president at public events and rallies. The speculation began over the weekend when Trump announced on Truth Social that White had been approached for the high-profile communications job. An insider familiar with the matter said White had rejected the unconventional offer, while a White House aide confirmed that Trump’s suggestion was made in jest, according to CNN.
UFC CEO Dana White on Monday ruled out taking up the vacant White House press secretary position, saying he had “zero political aspirations”, after US President Donald Trump jokingly suggested that he could take on the role. “I have zero political aspirations,” White told reporters from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room podium, according to CBS News, putting to rest speculation about a possible move into the Trump administration. The clarification came after Trump said on Monday that he was “only kidding” when he floated White’s name for the vacant press secretary position. “I will tell you, I was only kidding,” the president told reporters, adding that he had posted pictures of prominent UFC fighters as potential members of White’s media team as part of the joke.
Sharing an AI-generated image of the UFC chief standing behind the White House briefing podium, Trump urged him to accept the position.
Their association has also extended to UFC events, including one held on White House grounds earlier this year.